Mount Diablo State Park is one of the ecological treasures of the San Francisco Bay Area. Every season in the park has its special qualities. Discover them for yourself, from the mountain's 3,849-foot summit to its beautiful wildflowers, extensive trail system, fascinating wildlife, and distinctive rock formations.

Mount Diablo Interpretive Association (MDIA) is a non-profit all-volunteer organization that assists the California Department of Parks and Recreation in maintaining and interpreting Mount Diablo State Park for its 700,000 visitors each year. Through education, sponsored activities and publications, MDIA fosters appreciation and the enlightened use of Mount Diablo State Park. MDIA is proud to provide the resources necessary to keep the Summit Museum and Mitchell Canyon Visitor Center open throughout the year. In addition, one of MDIA’s key roles is coordinating the “Volunteers in Parks,” program, which trains and manages park docents, sponsors guided hikes, and helps maintain trails.

Water Shortage in Mount Diablo State Parkupdated 7/18/2015

California is in the midst of its 4th straight year of drought. The entire state is in some stage of drought with more than 77% of the state experiencing “extreme” to “exceptional” drought conditions. The majority of the water used by park visitors at Mount Diablo State Park is produced through a series of springs that is fed to various water tanks. Once at the water tank, the water is treated and tested before being ready for public use. However, with the lack of rain the past three years, the springs on the mountain have been reduced to a trickle and water tanks are close to empty.

In order to meet the park’s basic water needs until the rainy season, the park has been forced to take a number of drastic measures in order to conserve water:· All showers in the park have been turned off.· The water spigots have been shut off in Live Oak Campground and Juniper Campground. Potable water is still available at the faucets at the restrooms in the campgrounds. Signs on the spigots direct campers to those restrooms.ALL VISITORS ARE ENCOURAGED TO BRING WATER FOR CONSUMPTION DURING THEIR VISIT.

If you are planning a long hike, run, walk, bicycle ride or horseback ride, please bring plenty of water to ensure a safe and enjoyable visit. It is not unusual for heat-related illnesses (heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke) to occur at Mount Diablo State Park during the late spring, summer and early fall seasons. Although many of these illnesses can be treated without hospitalization, some heat related illnesses have proven fatal to park visitors in the past.By taking the necessary precautions, the vast majority of visitors enjoy a safe and memorable visit to Mount Diablo in all seasons.

Mary Bowerman Trail closed for ADA upgrades07/01/15

The northern paved portion of the Mary Bowerman Trail is closed for ADA upgrades that will take apporximately 3 months to complete. The remaining two thirds of the trail, consisting of a single track trail, will still be open to the public. It will not be a loop again until construction is completed. Also affected will be the ADA parking area on the south side of the Summit Rd for staging of equipment and supplies and the north side of Summit Rd where the picnic area will be converted to an ADA parking area. Come see the finished work after it is completed.

Castle Rock Area in Mount Diablo State Park to Close for Falcon Nesting Season02/01/15

The area known as “Castle Rock” in Mount Diablo State Park will be closed to visitors from February 1 to July 31 to help protect the Peregrine Falcons during their nesting season. This is an annual closure, as the Peregrine Falcon is listed as a “Fully Protected Species” in California. This raptor is territorial and highly sensitive to disturbance during nesting season.

California State Parks has partnered with East Bay Regional Park District, the operator of the Diablo Foothills Regional Park, which neighbors the closed area, to educate rock climbers and the general public of this closure and the importance of protecting the Falcon. Signs and educational panels are placed in the area to advise and educate users about the closure.

Listen to our newest audio tour, a 1.6-mile walk exploring the history, geology, and plants of Rock City, one of the most popular places in Mount Diablo State Park. Also included is an audio portion describing the close relationship between the community of Diablo, the park and some of Californias most important historical figures. To listen, please click on this link or the link at the bottom of this page.This tour has been made available through sponsorship by MDIA and the Diablo Country Club.Volunteer Opportunities

MDIA encourages the public to join our organization and become involved in its mission to support the park. We are always looking for dedicated volunteers to lead or help with various programs, outreach and operations. Volunteers can commit to as little as a couple of hours a week or volunteer on a project-specific, ad hoc basis and still provide vital assistance.(read more).

Volunteer Maintenance Group Completes Its Latest ProjectThe Volunteer Maintenance Group completed the remodel of the Macedo Ranch restrooms. The remodel included putting on a new roof and gutters, painting, adding ventilation, increasing lighting, and adding secure doors and screening to keep birds from nesting in the interior. Pictured are Jim Gray, Spencer Fulweiler, Steve Williams, Jim Mitchell and Steve Elliott.

Citizen Scientists: Help Monitor Fire Recovery!Check out the four camera stations along the Mary Bowerman (Fire Interpretive) Trail and other locations in the Morgan Fire burn area. Please take photos with your smart phone and upload them to social media. Our partner group Nerds for Nature will use the photos to create a time-lapse video of the landscape recovering and changing over the next several years. Please participate when you see the stations and be a part of studying the fire recovery. Contact Cyndy Shafer at
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